Texans Notes: Defense forcing turnovers in bunches

MEGAN MANFULL, Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle |
December 2, 2008

Getting defensive

Coming off a five-turnover performance against Cleveland, the Texans’ defense had two turnovers in the first quarter against the Jaguars.

Jacques Reevespicked off his fourth pass of the season and the fifth of his career.DelJuan Robinsonforced a fumble in the first quarter on a carry byMaurice Jones-Drew.Nick Ferguson recovered the fumble, giving the Texans the ball on Jacksonville’s 28-yard line.

The defense also held an opponent scoreless in the first half for the first time this season.

Milestones for Andre

The Texans worked to get Andre Johnson involved in the offense early by finding him for a 12-yard reception on the first play of the game. The team then capped the first drive with a 31-yard diving touchdown by Johnson.

Johnson has now caught a pass in 46 consecutive games. His 29th career touchdown also moved him ahead of Domanick Williams for the most in franchise history. Johnson now has 174 career points — the most in franchise history for a non-kicker.

Mathis hurt

Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis sprained his right knee in the first half and didn’t play in the second half. He typically covers Texans receiver Andre Johnson .

He injured the knee on the Texans’ botched field-goal attempt late in the first half.

Schaub sighting

The Texans deemed Matt Schaub healthy enough to back up Sage Rosenfels on Monday. It was the first time he was in uniform since tearing his medial collateral ligament against Minnesota. He has now missed four starts, but he could return to the starting lineup against Green Bay on Sunday.